4 Southern California gardens to visit this holiday season

Holiday lights and decorations at the Living Desert in Palm Desert. (Tom Politeo)

By Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times Daily Deal and Travel Blogger

In December, Southern California public gardens aren't so much about what's growing as what's glowing. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, the Living Desert in Palm Desert and the San Diego Botanic Garden open for nighttime lights or luminaria displays. And Scrooge drops in for weekends at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Here's a list of holiday happenings at these gardens:

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont: Follow the more than 1,000 candle-lighted luminarias along a loop trail in the garden at night on weekends leading up to Christmas. Listen to live performances -- Native American flute music, folk music, Appalachian fiddle and more -- while munching on cookies and sipping hot cider. Events run 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, plus Dec. 13 and 14, 20 and 21 and cost $5 per person; children younger than 3 are admitted free. Buy Luminaria Nights tickets online or at the garden. Info: 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont; (909) 625-8767

The Living Desert in Palm Desert: The desert takes on a whole new glow with WildLights at this habitat and animal preserve. Walk through the twinkling Tunnel of Lights and tour light-decorated cutouts of cactus, animals and more. You can also take in one of the Wildlife Wonders shows with live animals. Events run 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday plus Dec. 13 and 14, 19-23 and 26-31. WildLights tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for children. Info: 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert; (760) 346-5694

Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge: Scrooge will confront his ghosts in the vintage Boddy House on a hill with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. "A Christmas Carol" with the California Shakespeare Ensemble has performances 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday; Dec. 14 (3:30 p.m. sold out); and Dec. 21. "A Christmas Carol" tickets cost $15 per person and should be purchased online. There's also a Breakfast With Santa for kids on Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec. 21 and 22 (details at website). Info: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge; (818) 949-4200

San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas: Winter takes on a global touch this month at nightly Garden of Lights events. Live music ranges from mariachi to jazz bands to Cuban riffs and a children's choir. Families can spend evenings amid holiday lights and take wagon rides pulled by Belgian draft horses. Sledding isn't out of the picture either (check the website for snow dates). Night events run from 6-8 p.m. starting on Saturday through Dec. 30. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $6 for children 3-12. Info: 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas; (760) 436-3036

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